Camp-Fire and Cotton-Field eBook

In the last day of this ride, we passed over a plateau
twelve miles across, also over a mountain of considerable
height. Near the summit of this mountain, we
struck a small brook, whose growth was an interesting
study. At first, barely perceptible as it issued
from a spring by the roadside, it grew, mile by mile,
until, at the foot of the mountain, it formed a respectable
stream. The road crossed it every few hundred
yards, and at each crossing we watched its increase.
At the base of the mountain it united with another
and larger stream, which we followed on our way to
Rolla.

Late in the afternoon we reached the end of our journey.
Weary, dusty, hungry, and sore, we alighted from our
tired horses, and sought the office of the commandant
of the post. All were eager to gather the latest
intelligence, and we were called upon to answer a thousand
questions.

With our story ended, ourselves refreshed from the
fatigue of our long ride, a hope for the safety of
our gallant but outnumbered army, we bade adieu to
Rolla, and were soon whirling over the rail to St.
Louis.

CHAPTER VIII.

GENERAL FREMONT’S PURSUIT OF PRICE.

Quarrel between Price and McCulloch.—­The
Rebels Advance upon Lexington.—­A Novel
Defense for Sharp-shooters.—­Attempt to Re-enforce
the Garrison.—­An Enterprising Journalist.—­The
Surrender.—­Fremont’s Advance.—­Causes
of Delay.—­How the Journalists Killed Time.—­Late
News.—­A Contractor “Sold.”—­Sigel
in Front.—­A Motley Collection.—­A
Wearied Officer.—­The Woman who had never
seen a Black Republican.—­Love and Conversion.

After the battle of Wilson Creek and the occupation
of Springfield, a quarrel arose between the Rebel
Generals, Price and McCulloch. It resulted in
the latter being ordered to Arkansas, leaving General
Price in command of the army in Missouri. The
latter had repeatedly promised to deliver Missouri
from the hands of the United States forces, and made
his preparations for an advance into the interior.
His intention, openly declared, was to take possession
of Jefferson City, and reinstate Governor Jackson
in control of the State. The Rebels wisely considered
that a perambulating Governor was not entitled to
great respect, and were particularly anxious to see
the proclamations of His Excellency issued from the
established capital.

Accordingly, General Price, with an army twenty thousand
strong, marched from Springfield in the direction
of Lexington. This point was garrisoned by Colonel
Mulligan with about twenty-five hundred men.
After a siege of four days, during the last two of
which the garrison was without water, the fort was
surrendered. Price’s army was sufficiently
large to make a complete investment of the fortifications
occupied by Colonel Mulligan, and thus cut off all
access to the river. The hemp warehouses in Lexington
were drawn upon to construct movable breast-works
for the besieging force. Rolling the bales of
hemp before them, the Rebel sharp-shooters could get
very near the fort without placing themselves in great
danger.